A mother discovered her daughter’s rare cancer after spotting an unusual reflection in her eye while inadvertently capturing a photograph with the camera flash activated. Bronte Richards, 32, observed a white gleam in eight-month-old Raye’s right eye, though she originally attributed it to the room’s illumination.

A vigilant mother discovered her daughter had a rare form of cancer after noticing an unusual reflection in her eye captured by a camera flash. Bronte Richards, 32, noticed a distinctive white shimmer in her eight-month-old daughter Raye’s right eye, initially attributing it to the lighting in the room.

During a playful bath time with her nine-year-old brother Dawson, Bronte took a photograph that unexpectedly revealed the strange glow in Raye’s eye once more when the flash went off. Concerned by what she saw, Bronte visited the local optician. The optician noticed something abnormal and referred Raye to an emergency eye clinic for further evaluation.

After thorough examinations at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Raye was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, a rare form of cancer that affects both eyes. She has since undergone six months of chemotherapy to shrink the tumors and is currently receiving laser therapy to help manage the disease.

Bronte, a stay-at-home mom from Llanhilleth, Wales, expressed her shock upon learning of Raye’s condition: “When the doctor told me that Raye had cancer, I was stunned. I had convinced myself she was fine after being reassured earlier.”

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“It wasn’t until a few weeks later, at eight months old, I took a picture of Raye and my son in the bath playing, and the flash accidentally went off,” Bronte said. “I looked at the picture, and her right eye was glowing white. Her other eye was red from the flash, and so was my son’s. On December 19, 2024, I investigated it, and something didn’t sit right with me, as everything seemed to relate to eye cancer.”

Bronte rang her local GP, who reassured her there was nothing to be concerned about. Unconvinced, Bronte visited her local optician and expressed her fears that Raye might have eye cancer.

Bronte explained: “I explained my concerns and Raye was seen within an hour. When the light was flashed into her right eye, she didn’t flinch, but when flashed in her left eye, she reacted.

“They said they would refer her to the emergency eye clinic, but, being so close to Christmas, she would be seen after Christmas. I left knowing I had to make Christmas special for my baby and my eight-year-old, with a daunting feeling of what was to come for our family.”

On January 2, 2025, Raye underwent eye dilation at Royal Gwent Hospital, where an eye specialist informed Bronte there was nothing to be alarmed about and diagnosed Raye with a stretched retina. The specialist advised Bronte to return a week later for an eye examination as Raye might require glasses.

However, she was subsequently told Raye had retinoblastoma. Bronte recalled: “We were sent to the senior eye doctor at the Royal Gwent. He did an in-depth examination and said, ‘I’m so sorry, Raye has retinoblastoma, her tumours look aggressive’.

“I remember just falling to the floor, holding my baby. I was shouting ‘No, No, No, you are wrong! We were told last week it was nothing’. Our whole world had been turned upside down.”

Raye was transferred to Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where medics confirmed she had bilateral retinoblastoma. Raye began six months of chemotherapy alongside monthly laser therapy.

Bronte explained: “Chemotherapy was the best option for now, alongside laser therapy. We were told Raye would have a central line fitted, called a Hickman line, to administer chemotherapy.

“Raye had chemotherapy every month and, as soon as she received it, she would be admitted with a temperature. She had many line infections, line repairs and two new lines fitted. Her last chemotherapy was in June 2025.”

Whilst Raye’s tumours cannot be removed, she receives monthly laser therapy to keep the tumours under control. She will be monitored very frequently by specialists until she reaches five and will also remain under the retinoblastoma care team until she turns 16.

Bronte added: “Raye is doing amazing now. She responded so well to chemotherapy. She has little to no activity in her tumours, but they are being treated with laser therapy.

“It was a very long six months of chemotherapy, with hardly any time at home and juggling both my children. She is navigating life with just one working eye and you can tell because she is reaching all her milestones.”

Richard Ashton, chief executive of CHECT, said: “Raye’s story shows the importance of retinoblastoma awareness among health professionals. We are grateful that Raye’s diagnosis was confirmed and that she was able to receive treatment.

“If you’re worried that a child you know may have retinoblastoma, please take them to a GP or optician as soon as possible. You can also contact the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust support team at support@chect.org.uk – they can provide information to take to your appointment.”